The Bottom Line: Veterans fighting to start own businesses

Before serving in the Marine Corps in 2008, Michigan native Greg Call worked in accounting as a consultant.

But after being discharged in May, Call, who is new to Southern California, decided he wanted to put to work the management and organization skills he learned in the military and start his own business.

"Being in the military opened me up to big conceptual thinking, and I've managed anywhere from three to 100 people," said Call, who served as a ground intelligence officer and a rifle platoon commander.

However, the tough part for Call and many veterans wanting their own businesses is finding the startup money.

Access to capital is a big challenge, especially for veterans, said Vic Scimo, owner of FranNet of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties who's been helping Call and other veterans become entrepreneurs.

"All these veterans who are coming home can't find work and these guys make the best franchisees because they know how to follow a system and lead," Scimo said. "But these guys have no money."

Starting a franchise can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000, a tough sum to amass for many veterans who haven't been able to establish a strong credit rating because they were serving in the military, Scimo said.

"There are microloans and other resources, but it's not enough," he said.

FranNet, which matches aspiring entrepreneurs with one of its more than 100 national franchise partners, is focusing its energy on finding veterans work.

The unemployment rate among veterans who have served since the Sept. 11 attacks was 12.1 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May.

"Our heroes who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve the chance to put their skills and energies to good use as they come back home," Scimo said.

FranNet also supports veterans as a member of VetFran, which was started by the International Franchise Association a decade ago and gives discounts to veterans to help make business ownership more affordable and works to hire veterans within their businesses.

"Franchise companies are eager to have veterans on their teams because they know the skills and leadership experience they offer," Scimo said. "I'm happy to talk to any veterans about the opportunities they have to start their own businesses. It's an honor to help any way I can."